Jozpiri continued: "Sulfuric acid, due to its nature, despite the production and supply of 277 million tons in the world, only possesses 7% of exports and imports and the rest is used locally in the producing country
West Asia is a major producer of sulfuric acid, primarily driven by the presence of large oil and gas reserves. The region's oil and gas industry generates substantial quantities of sulfur as a byproduct, which is then utilized for Sulfuric acid production. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United arab emirates (UAE), Oman, and Kuwait have significant production capacities and contribute to the regional market. The fertilizer sector is one of the primary consumers of sulfuric acid in West Asia. The region's agricultural activities and the need to enhance crop productivity drive the demand for phosphate fertilizers, which require sulfuric acid for the production of phosphoric acid. Sulfuric acid is therefore used extensively in the manufacture of phosphate-based fertilizers, supporting the region's agriculture industry.
The growth of the automotive industry in West asia has led to an increased demand for lead-acid batteries, which rely on sulfuric acid electrolyte. Sulfuric acid is crucial for battery manufacturing and plays a role in powering vehicles, backup systems, and other applications. The sulfuric acid market in West Asia involves both intra-regional trade and exports to other regions. Countries with surplus production capacities export sulfuric acid to meet the demand in neighboring countries or to global markets. Additionally, some countries in the region may import sulfuric acid to supplement their domestic supply.
The sulfuric acid market in West Asia is influenced by factors such as industrial growth, agricultural activities, infrastructure development, and investments in various sectors. As the region continues to experience economic growth and diversification, the demand for sulfuric acid is expected to remain strong. Moreover, with advancements in technology and sustainability practices, there is a growing focus on optimizing sulfuric acid production processes and reducing environmental impacts.
In the Middle East, the sulfuric acid market is controlled by domestic demand. The production capacity of sulfuric acid in the country is about 2.1 million tons, of which only one third is actually operating. National Middle east Copper Industries Company possess about 100,000 tons, and the rest belong to other private sector producers. The amount of acid production in the Middle east market last year was about three million tons and its apparent consumption amounted to two million tons.
According to the statistics of reputable institutions, in 2019 and 2020, the production of sulfuric acid in the world was about 277 million tons, about 60% of which was obtained from sulfur-burning sources. About 50% of sulfuric acid in the world is used to produce Phosphoric acid and then used for phosphate fertilizers. It is also used in Metals in the copper, Zinc and nickel industries, and the rest is used in various industries. Jozpiri continued: "Sulfuric acid, due to its nature, despite the production and supply of 277 million tons in the world, only possesses 7% of exports and imports and the rest is used locally in the producing country.
West Asia has a thriving Petrochemical industry, with several large-scale complexes producing various Chemical products. Sulfuric acid finds applications in the petrochemical sector for processes such as alkylation, where it is used as a catalyst, as well as for pH control and cleaning purposes. Sulfuric acid is utilized in the region's Metal processing industry for applications like pickling and cleaning metal surfaces, as well as in the production of metals like copper, zinc, and nickel. The presence of significant mining operations in West Asia contributes to the demand for sulfuric acid in metal processing.
